Total Taekwondo and Fitness-TTF

What is it like being a Female Martial Arts School Owner?

For years, I've had to earn my place in a field where women are often underestimated. That experience shaped how I teach, lead, and empower others.

For most of my life, I've been the underdog:
A woman in combat sports. A woman coaching fighters. A woman running a martial arts business.

I've learned that being underestimated can become a superpower when you refuse to quit.
That's a lesson I try to pass on to every student who walks through our doors.

Martial arts taught me that strength isn't about being the biggest person in the room. It's about resilience, discipline, courage, and showing up when things are difficult. Those lessons apply to everyone.

People often ask what it's like being a female martial arts school owner.

The truth? It can be challenging.

Not because martial arts itself excludes women. Martial arts changed my life and has given me opportunities I could have never imagined.

The challenge is that combat sports and martial arts have traditionally been male-dominated spaces. As a woman, there have been moments throughout my career when I had to work harder to earn credibility, prove my knowledge, defend my experience, or simply be taken seriously.

I've been underestimated.

I've been questioned.

I've had people assume I knew less before I even opened my mouth.

But I've also learned something incredibly valuable:

Your value is not determined by other people's expectations of you.

It is determined by your commitment to your craft, your character, and your willingness to keep showing up.

For 46 years, I have dedicated my life to martial arts.

I've represented the United States as an athlete.

I've traveled the world competing.

I've coached national-level athletes.

I've earned Hall of Fame recognition.

I've built a martial arts school that has served our community for decades.

Not because I was trying to prove I belong.

But because I simply refused to quit.

And that lesson applies to everyone.

To anyone who wonders if they are strong enough.

To anyone who lacks confidence.

To anyone trying to find their place.

To anyone building themselves after hardship.

To anyone carrying responsibilities and pressures nobody sees.

We all know what it feels like to doubt ourselves.

We all know what it feels like to be underestimated.

That is why martial arts matters.

It teaches us that confidence is earned.

That resilience can be developed.

That courage is a skill.

That strength comes in many forms.

At Total Taekwondo and Fitness-TTF, we don't just teach kicks and punches.

We teach people how to believe in themselves.

We teach children how to find their voice.

We teach teens how to handle pressure.

We teach adults how to become stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally.

And perhaps most importantly, we teach people that they are capable of more than they think.

I am proud to be a female business owner.

But I am even more proud of the culture we have built.

A culture where we all train together.

Where we all support one another.

Where respect is expected.

Where effort matters.

Where everyone belongs.

Because empowerment isn't just for one.

It's for everyone.

And at TTF, empowerment is our standard.

Skills you can develop as a fighter are:

- Show up when you don't feel like it.
- Learn from every session, even the ones you consider bad.
- Slow down when your ego wants to push harder.
- Care about your body like your future depends on it, because it does!

Great job to the 6 p.m. Olympic Sparring class tonight. Go TTF!

🥊🥋 937-298-7119 ttftkd.com

Bullies come in many forms.

At Total Taekwondo and Fitness, we teach people how to stand up for themselves with confidence, courage, and respect.

As a small business ourselves, we also believe in standing up for our community and supporting other small businesses. Strong communities are built when we lift each other up, not tear each other down.

We are proud to support our neighbors, encourage kindness, and empower people of all ages to find their voice.

Together, we are stronger. 🥋💙

Confidence isn't something you're born with; it's something you build.

When you understand your options, trust your instincts, and have a plan, you naturally carry yourself differently. That confidence influences the decisions you make every day.

My goal isn't to teach women to live in fear. My goal is to help people walk through life feeling more prepared, more capable, and more confident in themselves.

Confidence isn't believing that nothing bad will ever happen. It's believing that if something does happen, you'll be better prepared to respond.

NOW SCHEDULING SELF-DEFENSE TRAINING!

Private Lessons • Group Training • Businesses • Sports Teams • Teen Groups • Women's Groups • Friend Groups • Schools • Organizations • And More

The time to prepare is BEFORE something happens.

My mission is not simply to teach people how to fight. It is to empower them to become so aware, confident, strong, skilled, and resilient that they are better prepared to protect themselves and those around them.

With 46 years of martial arts experience and training in Taekwondo, Krav Maga, Muay Thai, Boxing, and Kali, my passion has always been helping others develop practical, life-saving knowledge and real-world self-defense skills.

Self-defense training is valuable for everyone—especially women.

You are worth defending.

Whether it's:
• A child learning how to respond to bullying.
• A teen building confidence and situational awareness.
• A business preparing employees.
• A sports team improving safety and mindset.
• Adults who simply want to feel more prepared in everyday life.

Everyone deserves the knowledge and confidence to stand stronger in this world.

I also provide specialized training related to:
• Domestic abuse situations
• Personal safety awareness
• Situational awareness
• De-escalation strategies
• Practical real-world self-defense

My goal is to equip every person I teach with the:
• Knowledge
• Awareness
• Strength
• Skills
• Confidence

..to take ownership of their personal safety.

Empowerment should be the standard, not the exception.

It has been an honor to work with organizations including:

• Artemis Center
• Alter High School Soccer Team
• Dayton Bar Association
• The Beauty Boost – Dayton
• Dayton Metro Library
• Camp MEE
• Evolve Women's Network
• CrossFit Dayton
• Dayton Track Club
• Key4Women – KeyBank
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• South Metro Safety Council
• Centerville High School
• Oakwood Moms Group
• Kettering PRIDE
• Mystic Life
• The Well: A Center for Women's Wellness
• Fabletics at The Greene
• Girl Scout & Boy Scout Troops
• Runners Plus
• Miamisburg Schools
• Empower Ultras
• Hot Mess Sports Dayton
• The Rubi Girls
• Reynolds and Reynolds
• Roderer Shoe Center
• YWCA
• YMCA
• Women in Business Networking – Dayton/Miami Valley
• Women Realtors of Dayton
• KidzFest at Fraze Pavilion
• Numerous private groups, businesses, and organizations

Honored with:

• Speaker of the Year
• Woman of Impact Award
• AAU Hall of Fame
• United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame
• Former USA Olympic Taekwondo National Team Member
• World Medalist

But most importantly, above any kind of merit, I am also a SURVIVOR!

Upcoming Events

AUGUST: Girlfriends Society Group

SEPTEMBER: Realtor Safety Month

SEPTEMBER: Roderer Shoe Center

Private group events, business training, semi-private lessons, self-defense parties, and one-on-one instruction are available at Total Taekwondo and Fitness-TTF or at your location.

📩 DM me or email [email protected] to schedule your training or learn more.

Everyone deserves to feel safe. Everyone deserves the confidence that comes with being prepared. Please share with someone who could benefit from this training!

🥷 Total Taekwondo and Fitness-TTF was honored to be part of KidzFest 2026 at the Fraze Pavilion this past weekend! 🥋

This FREE community festival was packed with fun, excitement, and adventure for families throughout the day!

This year's theme transformed Lincoln Park into a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, featuring professional-grade ninja challenges for kids, teens, and adults of all fitness levels.

TTF was proud to present six interactive pop-up demonstrations, where children and adults had the opportunity to experience martial arts and learn practical self-defense skills. It was wonderful connecting with so many families and sharing our passion for building confidence, discipline, and personal safety.

KidzFest also featured:
🌭 Food trucks
🍦 Ice cream
🥤 Drinks and snacks
🎉 Family-friendly activities all afternoon

A huge thank you to all of our TTF assistant instructors and staff who volunteered their time to help make the day such a success. Your dedication, professionalism, and positive energy represented TTF incredibly well.

We loved being part of such an amazing community event and hope to see many of you on the mats soon! 🥋👊

🥷 TODAY! Join Total Taekwondo and Fitness-TTF at KidzFest 2026! 🥋

📅 Sunday, July 26, 2026
🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Gates open at 1:00 PM)
📍 Lincoln Park

https://fraze.com/kidzfest-2026/

Bring the whole family for a FREE Community Festival packed with fun, excitement, and adventure!

This year's theme transforms Lincoln Park into a Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course featuring professional-grade ninja challenges for kids, teens, and adults of all fitness levels.

🥋 Don't miss TTF!

Join us for our Demonstration Pop-Up Sessions at:

⏰ 1:30 PM
⏰ 2:15 PM
⏰ 3:00 PM
⏰ 3:45 PM
⏰ 4:15 PM
⏰ 4:45 PM

Come meet our team, learn about martial arts and self-defense, and even jump in and participate! Whether you're curious about training or just want to have some fun, we'd love to see you.

🌭 Food trucks
🍦 Ice cream
🥤 Drinks & snacks
🎉 Family activities all afternoon

We can't wait to see everyone today for an amazing afternoon of fun, fitness, and community! See you at Lincoln Park! 👊🥋